Writers of Pro Football Prospectus 2008

Extra Points

Week 17 Injury Aftermath

by Andrew Potter

49ers Cornerback Carlos Rogers -- Hamstring

Cornerback Carlos Rogers reported suffered a hamstring injury -- likely a mild strain -- on the final drive of the team's game in Arizona, and will have a MRI scan taken today. Suggestions are that the scan is precautionary, but that won't be confirmed until the scan results are made public. Rogers has 8 defeats and a stop rate of 45% this year, and entering Week 17 had played 977 (99%) of the team's defensive snaps -- more than any other player on the 49ers.

Bengals Offensive Line -- Feet & Ankles

The Bengals offensive line suffered a number of lower leg injuries on Sunday, most of them reportedly minor. Kyle Cook left the game with a non-contact foot injury, and has been quoted as stating that "Something popped just running, [he] didn't get hit at all." A MRI scan will be taken today to defermine the severity of the injury. Tackle Andrew Whitworth left the stadium in a walking boot after rolling his ankle, but the presence of the boot has been called precautionary and the team website reports that he expects to be available for the team's Wild Card playoff game. Similarly, tackle Anthony Collins sprained his ankle and left the game, only re-entering after Whitworth's injury. Finally, third tight end Alex Smith, who started in place of Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert, dislocated his wrist and is expected to miss the playoffs.

Broncos Safety Duke Ihenacho -- Concussion

The Denver Broncos lost safety Duke Ihenacho with concussion symptoms during Sunday's game, and he enters the league protocol. With the team having a bye week, his chances of playing in their next game are high, but the nature of the injury makes any prognosis speculative this soon afterward.

Both guard Logan Mankins and wide receiver Aaron Dobson left Sunday's Patriots-Bills game with injuries. Dobson had already missed several weeks with a foot injury, and it is likely that he aggravated the existing injury. Mankins had to be assisted from the field after injuring his ankle, but later returned to the game. That does not guarantee his availability for the team's next game, but is a good sign ahead of the team's bye week.

Seahawks Tight End Luke Willson -- Ankle

Tight end Luke Willson was carted from the field with an air cast on his injured ankle, though the ankle is not believed to be broken. The Seahawks Twitter feed cites Seahawks coach Pete Carroll's hope that the injury may be a high ankle sprain, though that may still end the player's season. Willson's 25.9% DVOA ranks seventh among tight ends, though his 59 DYAR ranks 19th due to his low number of targets (26). Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane reportedly suffered a groin strain, which will require a MRI scan to determine its severity, and star cornerback Richard Sherman "whacked his head" but returned to the game. Both have a good chance of playing after Seattle's bye.

Other Long-Term Injuries

According to his coaches, Giants Offensive Tackle Will Beatty suffered a broken right leg against Washington, likely a tibial plateau fracture similar to that which sideline Randall Cobb. He is expected to be fine for next season.

I didn't even find reports that he was injured when I was posting this, which is why it isn't included. A few are around now: groin strain by the sound of it. MRI was "negative", whatever that means (most likely that they didn't find much, if any, damage). If it's as mild as the reports suggest, he'll be able to play. Rest would help a lot.

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